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Overview

Minister of the Paxtang Prebyterian church outside Harrisonburg PA, and nearby Derry Presbyterian in Hershey, PA. After the New Side-Old Side split in the 1750, he devoted himself fulltime to the church at Paxtang. During the French and Indian War the area came under repeated attack by Native Americans. In response, Rev Elder organized the Paxton" or "paxtang Boys" as a defensive measure, for which effort he became known as "The Fighting Parson". While the Paxtang Boys may have been organized with good intent, they are more noted for their attack on a peaceful tribe living in the area, and the subsequent murder of most of the tribe members, including women and children. There was substantial public outcry at the atrocities committed in this event. Rev. elder is not known to have been part of that attack, but did act as an appolgist for the actions of the Paxtang Boys.